Since the 1980s, Dutch master Anton Corbijn’s timeless and brooding aesthetic has cemented Depeche Mode’s reputation as effortlessly cool. With over 500 images from Corbijn’s personal archives, some never seen before, as well as Corbijn’s handwritten captions, and an in-depth interview with the artist, this is the eagerly anticipated, wallet friendly successor to our 2020 limited edition. Created with the full collaboration of the band, DM by AC visually amplifies Anton Corbijn’s stunning impact on the world’s biggest cult band and celebrates one of the most creative and enduring collaborations in rock history. You can get it here.
This summer sees the Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Eric Clapton’s eponymous first solo album, originally released in August 1970. It is being issued on 4CD and 1LP (standard black) formats and will also be released digitally. The front cover artwork for the LP differs from the 4CD artwork illustrated above. The album will be launched on 9th June with the release of two tracks: After Midnight (Delaney Bramlett Mix) & Blues Power (Eric Clapton Mix) The album represents one of rock history’s most successful reinventions. After emerging as one of the seminal guitar heroes of the ’60s, the English superstar decisively re-established his musical priorities with Eric Clapton. It marked Clapton’s transition from flamboyant instrumental icon to well-rounded recording artist, downplaying sonic pyrotechnics in favour of a song-focused ensemble approach that would lay the groundwork for his massively successful solo career. For the occasion, he surrounded himself with a new cast of American musicians, tapping into a rootsy musical foundation that provided an inspired framework for his talents. This Anniversary Deluxe Edition presents Eric Clapton – Eric Clapton in three separate mixes: The Eric Clapton Mix, The Delaney Bramlett Mix and The Tom Dowd Mix (The UK Version). The Eric Clapton mix is being released in full for the first time. This anniversary collection also includes some singles, alternate versions and session outtakes.
The full Eric Clapton Anniversary Deluxe Edition tracklist is:
4CD:
CD1 (The Tom Dowd Mix – The UK Version)
All mixes released on CD and vinyl
Slunky 3.40
Bad Boy 3.59
Lonesome And A Long Way From Home 3.50
After Midnight 3.14
Easy Now 3.03
Blues Power 3.15
Bottle Of Red Wine 3.12
Lovin’ You Lovin’ Me 3.39
I’ve Told You For The Last Time 2.36
I Don’t Know Why 3.23
Let It Rain 5.06
CD2 (The Eric Clapton Mix)
Slunky 3.34 unreleased mix
Bad Boy 4.20 unreleased mix
Lonesome And A Long Way From Home 3.58 unreleased mix
After Midnight 3.19 released on Life in 12 Bars Soundtrack
Easy Now 2.57 released – this was the only EC mix inserted into the original 1970 Tom Dowd mix LP
Blues Power 3.53 unreleased mix
Bottle Of Red Wine 2.58 unreleased mix
Lovin’ You Lovin’ Me 3.44 unreleased mix
I’ve Told You For The Last Time 2.32 unreleased mix
I Don’t Know Why 3.35 unreleased mix
Let It Rain 5.18 released on Life in 12 Bars Soundtrack
CD3 (The Delaney Bramlett Mix) all mixes released on 2005 Deluxe Edition CD
Slunky 3.35
Bad Boy 3.44
Easy Now 3.00
After Midnight 3.19
Blues Power 3.20
Bottle Of Red Wine 3.09
Lovin’ You Lovin’ Me 4.07
Lonesome And A Long Way From Home 3.52
I Don’t Know Why 3.45
Let It Rain 5.02
CD4 (Singles, Alternate Versions & Session Outtakes) all titles released on 2005 Deluxe Edition CD except COMIN’ HOME (Alternate Mix) which is a previously unreleased mix
Teasin’ 2.17 Performed by King Curtis with Delaney Bramlett, Eric Clapton & Friends
Comin’ Home (Alternate Mix) 3.44 Performed by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends featuring Eric Clapton unreleased mix
Blues In “A” (Session Outtake) 10.28
She Rides (Let It Rain alternate version) 5.08
I’ve Told You For The Last Time (Olympic Studios version) 6.49
I Don’t Know Why (Olympic Studios version) 5.14
Comin’ Home (single a-side) 3.15 Performed by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends featuring Eric Clapton
Groupie (Superstar) (single b-side) 2.50 Performed by Delaney & Bonnie & Friends featuring Eric Clapton
1LP
Side A
Slunky
Bad Boy
Lonesome And A Long Way From Home
After Midnight
Easy Now
Blues Power
Side B
Bottle Of Red Wine
Lovin’ You Lovin’ Me
I’ve Told You For The Last Time
I Don’t Know Why
Let It Rain
David Duchovny will release his third album Gestureland August 20th (GMG/King Baby). The set is the follow-up to Every Third Thought (2018) that All Music called “eloquent, alt-rock-kissed country-folk in the vein of Wilco and the Wallflowers.”
Gestureland builds on the musical and lyrical themes of its predecessor while exploring some new territory as heard on the first single ‘Layin’ On The Tracks.’ Duchovny felt passionately about putting a song out around the election as the country braced. It premiered on Rolling Stone.com and of the track he says: “I just wanted to go on record in a way that was both personal and political.” The songwriting for Gestureland is indeed a mix of political and personal exploring how people are more immersed in a virtual world, everyone making gestures rather than truly connecting.
“The album represents three years of song writing over which time I think we developed into a band so there’s a stronger element of deep collaboration here. The songs are obviously inspired by present day life and problems but we hope to make them universal. We also stretch our sound a little ——getting both heavier and lighter at different times. You want to know which songs are about me. None of them. They’re about you,” says David Duchovny.
Recording for the album started in February of last year at Outlier Studio in update New York and was finalized after a long pause due to Covid earlier this year at The Birdhouse in New York City. Joining Duchovny once again on the album is Colin Lee (Keys), Pat McCusker (Guitars, Synths), Mitchell Stewart (Bass), Keenan O’Meara (Guitars) and Davis Rowan (Drums.) McCusker talks about finishing the album “Shortly after our time at Outlier, the pandemic hit. After a month or so of being in full lockdown mode, we started recording overdubs and vocals at our studio in Long Island City. To have our own space to be able to finish Gestureland safely throughout 2020 was a blessing. The more we’ve all worked together, the more we’re all taking risks and tapping into new influences.”
Tracklist:
1. Nights Are Harder These Days
2. Holding Patterns
3. Chapter and Verse
4. Everything Is Noise
5. Stay Until
6. Tessera
7. Layin’ On The Tracks
8. Playing At The Same Dream
9. Call Me When You Land
10. Mind Of Winter
11. Pacific Coast Highway
12. Sea Of Tranquility
David Duchovny is best known as an award winning actor, director and novelist starring in the smash TV shows The X-Files and Californication winning a Golden Globe for both. His first novel Holy Cow was released by Farrar Straus and Giroux in February 2015 and hit the New York Times Best Sellers’ list. This was followed up by his second novel, Bucky F*cking Dent, released globally in 2016 which also hit the New York Times Best Sellers’ list. He released his third Nationally bestselling novel Miss Subways in 2018 and his most recent novel, released earlier this year Truly Like Lightning is now in development at Showtime. He just released The Reservoir, an audible original and recently wrapped shooting on The Bubble a new Judd Apatow film. On the music front, Duchovny is eager to take the show on the road “I always get such a kick playing live. We make our show into a whole evening, and take people on a journey. I can’t wait to do a version of this album for a tour.” Live dates will be announced this summer.
Canadian rock powerhouses Big Wreck and Chad Kroeger of Nickelback have joined forces on the thunderous new song “Middle of Nowhere,” available now at radio and all digital retailers and streaming services. The song is co-produced by Big Wreck frontman Ian Thornley and Kroeger.
Thornley and Kroeger have been friends for many years and have always toyed with the idea of working together on a project again, but with both bands constantly on the road, schedules never aligned. The global pandemic provided them with an opportunity. Last fall, Thornley and Big Wreck bassist Dave McMillan spent a week isolated at Kroeger’s house in BC. They brought with them the concept of “Middle of Nowhere” and worked on it with Kroeger throughout the week. Big Wreck put the finishing touches on the recording in Toronto a few months later, but most of what fans will hear was created during that week at Kroeger’s home studio.
“Being able to get in a room and work with Chad from start to finish on a song is a hell of a trip,” said Thornley. “For Big Wreck, this song is a unique exploration into the more straight up rock song. Naturally working with someone who is no stranger to hit songs, we were able to capture the essence of a hooky, fun, rock song, while putting the Big Wreck sound to it. It’s a good bridge for us to get fans some music while they wait for all the other new music to touch down!”
Big Wreck (Thornley, McMillan, guitarist Chris Caddell and drummer Sekou Lumumba) have announced three summer shows: a live stream as part of Supercrawl on July 1; July 2 at Peterborough’s drive-in PTBOLive Summer Concert Series; and July 3 at Toronto’s City View Drive-In.
Formed in in the mid-‘90s, Big Wreck remains one of the highest regarded rock bands in Canada, and music fans around the world know them as one of the most prolific groups on earth. With dozens of radio anthems, platinum albums, and millions of tickets sold, the band is excited to start releasing their seventh studio project later this year, being produced by Ian Thornley with Eric Ratz. There is a new energy in Big Wreck that hasn’t been seen before, and with new music on the horizon, the band is set to embark on the biggest chapter of their career.
Hi Merissa Moore Music production is a job that requires special training and choosing your school wisely is the prerequisite of a successful career opportunity. You will still need to consider internships or joining someone else’s project to start making a name in this competitive industry but the systemized knowledge and solid theoretical, as well as a practical basis, will help you immensely. Fortunately, nowadays you don’t need to rely on self-education only as there are many specialized educational institutions.
It is impossible to choose the absolute winner and inform you which college is the best one since each option has specific benefits and drawbacks. Though you can choose an option that is the most appropriate for you in terms of specialization, the possibility of networking, and location. Start looking where to write my admission essay while we present the list of schools that are worth your attention.
Berklee College of Music. Being fully accredited and offering courses from beginner level to Master’s degree, this provider should be among your priority choices.
Musicians Institute. This is the place where musicians teach other musicians within a creative and motivating environment. Choosing this option is like choosing the best writing service upon reading reviews because it is a sensible decision.
Northwestern University. More specifically, you should be interested in the Bienen School of Music that is located in the Evanston Campus of this top-level university.
Frost School of Music. Being a part of the University of Miami, this school embraces an innovative approach and subsequent career opportunities that you should not lose. Requesting Writing Universe experts’ help with complex projects will help you to fully use this school’s potential.
Boston University. Music is an inseparable part of both city and university life. You will be honored to join the cohort of renowned musicians who studied at Boston University.
Manhattan School of Music. If classical music is among things that help you study you may consider pursuing a doctoral degree in classical performance in New York City. Isn’t it a decent career choice? Remember that you still have many other options offered by this reputable institution.
Institute of Production and Recording. This school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and there are several studios that alumni can use during a year after graduation. This may be a benefit for the beginning of a new breathtaking career in the music industry.
The Art Institute of Austin. Obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Audio Production in this school will cover many useful courses from fundamentals to Audio Engineering. This is the option that offers a well-informed specialist ready for further career and educational challenges.
USC Thornton School of Music. It is not only one of the oldest art institutions but also one of the best for music studies. This private school is located on the University of Southern California campus.
Is That All?
You may find many other options depending on the program that is interesting specifically for you. The United States is a big country and you may enjoy vast opportunities for studying and working. Remember that you may always count on writing experts employed by LetsGradeIt if you need urgent assistance with complex tasks or some time to focus on career opportunities.
Author’s Bio
Merissa Moore works as the admission officer in a reputable institutional affiliation and she sees many success stories. Several truly masterfully written admission essays of prospective students motivated her to write a book describing successful techniques and useful tips. Merissa keeps sharing those tips using social media as she believes that talented youth just need a small piece of advice.
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Order of Canada recipient and 11-time JUNO Award-winning artist Murray McLauchlan challenged himself to look within himself for issues pertaining to systemic racism, privilege, and economic disparity on his landmark 20th album Hourglass, released on July 9, 2021 through his long-time record label partnership with True North Records.
Hourglass bears many of the trademarks of other McLauchlan albums, including powerful folk and country flavored songs of a personal, philosophical and topical nature. But, this time around, the composer has refined his prose, distilling narratives down to their bare essentials. “I tried to make the compositions simple and accessible, like children’s songs for adults,” says McLauchlan. “I’ve never tried that before. I’m pushing 73 now and I still feel I’m getting better at what I do.” He adds: “Every album is a little different journey. You go where the muse leads You.”
Hourglass is also a collection of songs that address the shocking events of the recent past and the ongoing trajectory of a troubled world but also the sweetness of life itself. McLauchlan began with a deeply personal series of poems and then married them to rootsy guitar licks and riffs, to build one of his most political and personal albums. Soaring pedal steel, delicate piano melodies and deft guitar playing bring the lyrics to life, in a project that ultimately celebrates the resilience of the human spirit.
Much of Hourglass was written in the past year, during anxious Covid times of mask-wearing, social distancing and seemingly endless lockdowns. Yet, even though there’s one song on the recording called “Pandemic Blues,” McLauchlan doesn’t think of Hourglass as a pandemic album. “I’d hesitate to call it that,” he says, “because the album reflects a view of the world and global events that have been evolving for some time.” In particular, McLauchlan sets his sights on chronic issues like systemic racism, economic disparity and rampant consumerism, what he calls in one song the “global greed machine.”
“In the aftermath of the public killing of George Floyd in the U.S., a massive wave of revulsion against systemic racism swept the world,” McLauchlan prefaces of previously-released single “I Live On A White Cloud.” “It prompted many of us, myself included, to look honestly into our hearts and not flinch from what we might find.”
When it came to the second single, “The One Percent,” it was McLauchlan’s pointed perspective of the rapidly widening chasm between those with outsized resources and the rest of the world’s population.
“A while ago, when ‘Occupy Wall Street’ demonstrations happened, many people scorned the demonstrators for being unable to articulate what they were there for,” McLauchlan recalls. “I remember thinking, however, ’this isn’t going away.’ As the accumulation of great wealth has increased for the very few, the vast majority of people have seen the opposite.”
“I’m just a songwriter,” he lays plainly. “That’s the only voice I have, other than my vote. But I do know this: If we can’t find a way to make the world a more equitable place for everyone, our future is in question.”
Murray McLauchlan is not one to rest on his laurels. Although he’s now in his sixth decade as a singer-songwriter, with shelves bursting with prizes including a prestigious Order of Canada and Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, the vigorous musician remains as creatively active as ever. Hourglass finds McLauchlan still evolving artistically, crafting some of the best compositions in his long and celebrated career.
Track Listing:
1 The One Percent
2 Pandemic Blues
3 America
4 If You’re Out There Jesus
5 Hourglass
6 A Thomson Day (for Tom Thomson)
7 Lying By The Sea (for Alan Kurdi)
8 I Live On A White Cloud (for George Floyd)
9 Shining City On A Hill
10 Wishes
Music may have taken him around the world, but alt-rock singer/songwriter Mike Green knows the undeniable pull of home and the lasting power of lifelong friendship. With this, his new single “Always,” the L.A.-based and New England-raised guitarist and producer pays moving homage to a fateful first crush, and the gratitude that comes when it transforms into a cherished bond that defies time, circumstance, and distance.
“When we’re apart Only seasons change You and I will be friends always”
The song’s personal but oh-so-relatable story of looking back on young love is skillfully underscored by Green’s beautifully hypnotic guitar riff. Always “percolates on sweet guitar picking as his voice holds sway” says notable indie music blog American Pancake, calling it “honest, lovely storytelling.”
For Green, this is a song that has almost always been with him. “A song may occasionally pour out all at once, but this one took me years to complete,” he explains. “The reason is as simple as I started an idea I wasn’t mature enough to finish.”
With the instantly memorable guitar riff seeded first, it took some time for the rest of the song to take root. “It wasn’t until I was living abroad in France when I realized the words and meaning I had been searching for were there all along,” he recalls. “The reflective nature of the music inspired me to center the idea around nostalgia.”
Nostalgia is also a key component of the elegant, thoughtful video for “Always.” Green teamed up with noted director Gerry Wenner on the project who has helmed videos for the likes of Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, K-Ci & JoJo and Bonnie Raitt. The tight, two-person crew filmed in Green’s hometown of New Haven, Connecticut.
Green elaborates, “It was a natural decision to film there, much of the sentiment in the lyrics were based on experiences I had growing up.”
He says the idea was to keep the video approach as stripped down as the recording itself, using black and white to capture a timely nostalgia and contrast lighting for the performance sequence to capture the duality of hope and sadness in the song. “And then there’s me bumbling around in nature to capture reflectivity,” jokes the multi-hyphenate, adding, “I edited the film myself.”
The accomplished, worldly polish to Green’s music is no accident. France is one of 30-plus countries that this seasoned young artist has been on stage in with international events band The Phly Boyz. The Berklee College of Music grad, now a sought after L.A. session player and singer, has performed in front of renowned artists such as Mick Jagger, John C. Reilly, Wyclef Jean, Maroon 5 and Jamie Cullum.
While performing around the globe is temporarily out of the question, Green looks forward to getting in front of live audiences again down the road and is currently developing his sophomore album.
“Always” is from Mike Green’s self-produced debut album, Restart — both available now.
If you believe a piano can’t rock, Curtis Labelle is going to make that misconception “Run Run Away” with his pedal pumping, sing-along-able new release — available now.
The Sylvan Lake, AB-based rock pianist masterfully lives up to his handle with this blast of energy anthem that irresistibly dares listeners to join in as he soars through the hook-powered “Run run away! Run run away-ay!” chorus. That same ten-fingered, passionate engine that drove Elton John, Billy Joel, and Ben Folds up the keys into stardom is also propelling Labelle and this new, rhythmically infectious release is the vehicle that will have everyone riding along.
Harnessing collaborative energy into a killer song is what making music is all about for the Alberta-based singer/songwriter and showman. “The energetic experience I get from creating a new song and developing it with a great team always brings me joy,” says Labelle. “I have never been more thrilled on my journey to the stars than I am being with the people that I work with.”
With Labelle taking the lead on songwriting, piano and vocals, along with Logan Klaus on guitar, Matt Dubois on bass and Nygel Lauzon on drums, “Run Run Away” was created together with JUNO nominated producer Mark Troyer at Calgary’s Evergreen Sound studios. It’s the lead single to lead 6 more singles this year with Greg Burkin from GB Music & Sound to have a “new take on classic, energetic piano rock” toward a full album release targeted for Fall of 2022.
After piano-rocking venues all around Western Canada, Labelle has gained a burgeoning reputation as a charismatic, high energy performer. He released his debut single “Pawn in My Shade” in 2018 then, took top honours at the Rock 104.5 Singer Songwriter Star Search in 2019. Two more singles, “#familyislove” and “Blue Dream”, followed last year before Labelle teamed up with Troyer to record “Run Run Away”, which is currently vying for Top 100 honours and beyond in CBC Music’s prestigious annual Searchlight competition.
Speaking of competitions, starting June 1, 2021, Labelle is inviting other singer/songwriters across the country to submit their cover version of one of his previous singles for the Curtis Labelle Original Cover Contest. Chosen by an industry judges’ panel including artist manager and producer of Canada’s “The Shot” CJ Allen, the winner will be awarded $1000 cash, a merch package, an official release of their cover song via Labelle’s affiliated distribution partners and a collaboration opportunity with Labelle’s upcoming album.
He may be a great marketing idea man but, Curtis Labelle is foremost a great music man. “It’s the process that’s addictive and the gathering of art,” he explains. “I simply will not do anything else. Nothing else comes close to music.”
To set the scene… In our own galaxy, on the fringe of the Mega Centarri cluster, a war has all but consumed the blue planet Zederth. After a thousand years of peace and harmony, virtual diva Priz Em and her lover, the musician/scientist Prin Jori Merkanteel aka Stray Horn, are forced to go to battle; not only with an unseen enemy, but also with each other.
As their story unfolds through the graphic novels of Mega Centarri I & II, our heroine has released her own tracks and music videos to “move your spirit and your feet” — one of which being “Heartless” — a near-homage to the pop synth sound of the 80s, laced with the nostalgia of the 90s, all hinging on her deep, Bonnie-Tyler-esque husk that draws you in and keeps you locked inside.
While Priz Em joins us from a fantasy world, her music is nothing short of real, raw and authentic. Bringing Priz Em to life are Steve Smith and Anthony Anderson of SA TrackWorks, her producers and musicians and her vocals performed by Kat Szutyanyi. The songwriters behind her music are credited to Bruce Irvine, Merlin Rhys Jones, Jack Gunderson, and Kathy Irvine.
It’s a fantastical story of grace and love, perseverance, and grace under pressure. No matter the fiction, the reality of relationships faced with grim circumstances is tied to the human experience. And for Priz Em and Prin Jori Merkanteel aka Stray Horn, their journey is faced with even further dire consequences as they attempt to hold onto one another as they embark on literally saving the world they know and love.
The care, time, and attention to backlogging, cataloguing, and designing our virtual diva is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Further, the music video for “Heartless” is a testament to cinematic marvel, taking Priz Em from page to screen in one sweeping motion. She has become the centrepiece of a new era in creating an artist. She is the dream, willed into reality by her creators.
While the concept of perfecting a holographic figure of a musician is not a new concept, completely designing an entity from thought to actuality is a testament to the sheer level of commitment by her developers. You’ll be invested in her music, mesmerized by her graphics, and captivated by her story.
Currently dominating Spotify, Youtube, and TikTok, Priz Em is light years ahead in her newly crafted tenure. The Mega Centarri universe chronicled in graphic novels are currently hosted by ComiXology and Crypto Comics.
And as for Priz Em herself, expect our virtual diva to begin gracing the stages in 2022. She is, of course, a star among clusters in The World Mega Centarri.
Canadian pop songstress JESSIA unveils a brand-new single entitled “I Should Quit” today.
On the track, executive produced by Grammy award winning singer, songwriter, and producer Ryan Tedder, hyper-charged production underscores confessional verses as she immediately admits, “I should quit…having friends with benefits.” Her delivery rises and falls with the dizzying beat as she laments, “I should quit, but I want to see how it ends, ‘cause I’m a woman who doesn’t listen to her friends.” She deals with the conundrum of friends-with-benefits the best way she knows how, by making another bona fide bop.
JESSIA’s music and lyrics continue to resonate. Where “I’m not Pretty” explored the powerful theme of self-acceptance, the saucy, staccato, and tongue-in-cheek “I Should Quit” traces what happens when you follow your heart and your gut… even when your head (and occasionally, your well-meaning best friends) suggests otherwise. “I’m really good at giving advice but not always good at taking it. I know what I SHOULD do but what’s the fun in always playing it safe? Sometimes you just need to fully accept that you are a hot mess,” she said.
Recently, JESSIA was featured as Billboard Magazine’s “Chartbreaker” for the month of June. Her CRIA Gold-certified body acceptance anthem “I’m not Pretty” is currently Top 5 at Hot AC radio in Canada and features GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Bebe Rexha on the official remix version of the track released last month. “I’m not Pretty” recently crossed 100 million streams and counting and this week tops the Billboard Canada Emerging Artists Chart for the FIFTH week straight at #1.
“I’m not Pretty” initially exploded on Tik Tok when JESSIA introduced an acapella hook of the song by sharing, “I don’t know if this is total trash, or if it’s actually a bop.” Turns out, it was the latter as the clip racked up 1 million views in a day. The candid lyrics describe a journey towards self-love and the emotions one can feel while on its path – a message that has instantly resonated with audiences all over the world.
JESSIA released the official music video for the single. Inspired by Roald Dahl’s ‘James and The Giant Peach,’ the video sees her step through a looking glass to confront her insecurities in a playful and tongue-in-cheek kind of way, she then falls down a rabbit hole into an imaginary, yet cinematic eye-popping peach filled wonderland.
In addition to early support from international tastemakers, Grammy award winning singer, songwriter, and producer Ryan Tedder personally reached out to JESSIA upon hearing the song to champion her work and collaborate. Together they are putting the finishing touches on more new music—due out soon.
